An unfavourable scar may be thick and unsightly, or itchy, or tight. Sometimes this follows trauma, or an infection, or it may just be the way your body heals. Scars never completely disappear, but if they heal well and are positioned in a good place then they may be almost invisible. Scars in general tend to thicken for about three months, then settle over the months and years. This is why we almost never rush into surgical revision. Silicone ointment or dressings will certainly speed up the settling of scars and should be used for 2 to 3 months. If a scar is unsatisfactory after giving it enough time to settle, then there are certain treatments that may help.

If a scar is thick, red and itchy then a series of steroid injections will normally improve these symptoms although there may still be a significant blemish.

For unsightly or tight scars, excision and re-stitching may help. It often involves putting a zig-zag in the final wound which reduces tension, and makes the scar less obvious. Sometimes we have to move the scar into a better anatomical position, even if the scar is longer, so it won’t notice as much.

With a stretched scar in a part of the body where this is common, we will suggest removing it and closing the wound with a stitch that goes in at one end, zig-zags under the skin and comes out at the other end. This is supported with tapes. The stitch stays there for 3 months, then simply slides out. The resulting scar is usually much improved.

Most scar revisions can be carried out under a local anaesthetic.